Obeid family members wanted to become directors of Parramatta Eels

Adrian Proszenko, Kate McClymont and Brad Walter

Parramatta officials were in talks with the Obeids about the prospect of some family members becoming Eels directors prior to to patriarch Eddie being found guilty of corruption by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

It is understood that a Parramatta powerbroker met with a member of the Obeid family in mid- to late-2010 about becoming formally involved with the club.

The introduction was facilitated by Joe Nahas, a former sponsor of the Eels, who was close to the family.

Nahas' company, Nahas Constructions, was the goal-post sponsor of the club in 2010-11. As part of its association, the firm had the use of a private box at Parramatta Stadium, where the Obeids were often entertained.

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Nahas Constructions subsequently went into administration following a wind-up application from Druin Pty Ltd. It is understood Nahas introduced a senior Eels official to at least one of former State Labor MP Eddie's five sons, at an Italian restaurant in Leichhardt.

A source said both parties were interested in at least one member of the Obeid family joining the board. "The idea was to get a new band of brothers onto the board," the source said. "They would have plenty of money and contacts they could bring to the club."

A senior Eels official had previously told Fairfax Media that if the club was ever privatised Moses Obeid would be interested in bidding for the club ownership.

It is not the only time members of the Obeid family attempted to become NRL club powerbrokers. In 2012, Eddie Obeid was said to have been keen for his son Moses to become a director on the board of South Sydney, but that move also didn't eventuate.

While some members of the family support the Rabbitohs, others follow the Eels. The transfer of halfback Chris Sandow from Souths to Parramatta was followed with great interest by the clan, with a source claiming there were discussions about providing financial assistance should he join the Eels.

A snippet from the ICAC transcripts suggests there was also an introduction between the Obeids and Eels officials at a corporate box during an NRL game.

"Nick Di Girolamo was present, Eddie Obeid snr was there, some of Eddie Obeid jnr's friends were there, it was 40 just mainly just a gathering of friends and people," said Anthony Karam, a disgruntled Australian Water Holdings investor and ex-friend of Eddie Obeid jnr, during an ICAC hearing.

"There was also some representatives from the Parramatta Eels there. There was, I think someone from the Tigers would have been there as well and some of the football players were in and out of the box."

The NRL is investigating whether there are any salary-cap implications in a property deal involving Parramatta player Darcy Lussick and a company connected to the Obeids. Lussick purchased a discounted apartment from Gerard Obeid's Pope Property Holdings in June last year for $600,000.

The property had been acquired by the Obeids earlier for $630,462. A spokesperson for Parramatta said: "These matters relate to a period before the current management and board of the PLC [Parramatta Leagues Club] and PNRL [Parramatta National Rugby League Club]."

With officials at all three clubs - Parramatta, Brisbane and Gold Coast - under scrutiny over salary cap allegations blaming the problems on previous administrations or past employees, the NRL believes better governance practices are needed.

"The NRL has made it clear that we are determined to improve governance at clubs," an NRL spokesman said on Friday. "That covers every area of their business, not just the salary cap."

The NRL does not believe there is evidence of widespread salary-cap rorting.

"Obviously it is a concern when any club breaches the salary cap but, just because we are conducting investigations does not mean any club has breached," the spokesman said. " We need to await the outcome of those inquiries.

"At present there are only two investigations – involving the Broncos and Titans. But the auditors will look at the Parramatta claims as part of that audit process.

"And while we are conducting two investigations it does not mean any club has breached. There are already regular salary cap audits in place. The half-yearly audits are under way now and we believe this is an effective system."

1 comment so far

Just let them. Everything else in League is a joke, they can go down with it.